Noh way!

My performance at Ohorikoen Nohgakudo

2009 in Pictures

If you didn't get an e-mail or aren't on facebook . . .

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Winter Vacation

Dad, this post is for you . . .

This is the restaurant in Bangkok where we'll have Christmas dinner. You can see more pictures and read about it here

http://www.at-bangkok.com/restaurant_supatra_river_house.php






The next morning we'll be zip-lining through the jungle. You can see more pictures and videos at




www.treetopasia.com/thailand-holiday/bangkok


The following afternoon we fly to Cambodia for a 6-day tour. You can read abut it here

http://www.geckosadventures.com/South-East-Asia/Trip/Overview.html?trip=Cambodia & Ancient Angkor&tripid=2797

On the first, I fly back to Thailand. The following morning I start another tour. You can read about it at


www.treetopsjunglesafaris.com/jungle-safaris-4days-3nights.htm

Kaci in Japan

My cousin, Kaci, just spent 5 weeks teaching English in Korea. Since Shimonoseki is so close, she stopped by to visit me for a few days. We walked around Shimonoseki, Chofu, Mojiko, and Kokura. You can see pictures through the "more photos of Japan" link.

odds and ends

At school recently, I saw a lizard with a blue tail. I thought that was pretty exciting, but then I saw two tanuki outside one of the classrooms. I brought a camera with me this week and took some pictures. Pretty cool, eh?



Several times a week Shawna and I walk down to Hotto Motto or Seven Eleven for lunch, taking the same route every time. As we walked down the hill yesterday, an old man came out of a barber shop and gave me this piece of origami. At least I think he gave it to me. He was muttering in old man Japanese, and I couldn't really understand him. I said "thank you" many times in Japanese, and we continued on our way. I'd like to say that things like this only happen in Japan, and while they seem to happen more often here, strangers like to give me small gifts. It's a nice if not slightly odd part of my life. Anyway, without getting all philosophical, here's the photo.

Valentine's Note

I had to share this cute note from Valentine's Day. It made my day.

Dear: Ami
Happy Valentine!!
We made cookies for you.
The green cookie was made by Riho.
This taste is powdered green tea.
The cookie is in the shape of a heart was
made by Yumi.
This taste is chocolate.
Either of cookies are delicious!! Maybe...
We hope to your home made snack!!
We love Ami :) FROM: Riho and Yumi

R vs. L

My students have a really hard time with the letters "R" and "L". They often get them mixed up and write things like "fliend". The funniest mistake with "R" and "L" was made by one of Stef's students, who shall remain nameless. She wrote the following sentence. "The theatre erupted with the sound of the audience crapping." When I heard that, I laughed until by stomach hurt. It's still funny to me now. I'm actually giggling a little as I type.